The Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation is an incorporated Aboriginal organisation established on Yolngu land to care for the Country. For over 60,000 years, Yolngu have sustainably managed the land and sea Country in the northeast of Arnhem Land.
The health of our Sea Country is of paramount concern for Traditional Custodians.
Each day, millions of plastic pieces and ghost nets waste wash up on our shores, presenting an ongoing and escalating threat. Rangers across the north work tirelessly to mitigate this issue, and one Dhimurru Ranger alone can collect 2.5 tonnes of plastic waste in just a year.
These Rangers also bear the immense responsibility of managing 52,000 hectares of land and sea—an area equivalent to the size of Singapore’s urban zone. The significance of Sea Country extends beyond environmental preservation – it is deeply interwoven with their cultural heritage.
The sea carries their stories.
Help ensure that our marine plastics expert and Dhimurru Rangers are represented in the UN negotiations.
AMCS needs to raise $42,000 to send a delegation of Dhimurru Rangers and AMCS plastic pollution campaign specialist to participate in the Global Plastic Treaty negotiations. Help fund our Global Plastic Treaty Delegation to speak for our oceans and strengthen Australian First Nations voices to end plastic pollution.
Help fund our Global Plastic Treaty Delegation to amplify our voices to end plastic pollution – Read more and donate. https://www.marineconservation.org.au/actions/efoy2025-plastics//?
The Global Plastic Treaty DelegationThe Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation is an incorporated Aboriginal organisation established on Yolngu land to care for the Country. For over 60,000 years, Yolngu have sustainably managed the land and sea Country in the northeast of Arnhem Land. AMCS will send a delegation to international meetings progressing global plastics treaty actions. Grace Wunungmurra (Miyarriya) Dhimurru’s First YolÅ‹u Facilitator    Grace is the first YolÅ‹u woman to be appointed as a Facilitator at Dhimurru, a powerful milestone in Indigenous-led conservation. She leads with deep cultural authority and commitment across both land and sea management programs, mentoring rangers and ensuring YolÅ‹u law and knowledge remain central to Dhimurru’s operations. In 2024, Grace represented YolÅ‹u perspectives at the Arafura Timor Sea Exchange (ATSE), where she spoke to the vital role of Indigenous women in Sea Country protection and the urgent need to address marine plastics. Her presence at the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations brings forward the voices of YolÅ‹u Elders, women, and Country. Wanga Mununggurritj:, Miyalk Coordinator, Dhimurru Rangers Wanga is Dhimurru’s Miyalk (women’s) Coordinator, leading the female ranger team in their work to protect Country. As a dedicated cultural leader and environmental practitioner, she oversees marine debris clean-up, cultural site management, and seasonal work grounded in YolÅ‹u knowledge. Wanga plays a key role in intergenerational teaching and community resilience, ensuring the next generation of rangers are empowered and connected to Country. She brings strength, clarity and lived experience to the international stage, advocating for solutions that respect First Nations custodianship and protect our shared oceans. Wanga was also one of the Dhimurru delegates that presented to Parliament for Australia to join the Global Ghost Gear Initiative. Shanita Yunupingu, Team Leader, Dhimurru Rangers Shanita is a Team Leader supporting Wanga and the Miyalk team in Dhimurru’s daily ranger operations. She contributes to marine debris response, fire management, cultural heritage protection, and ranger mentoring, combining practical expertise with cultural responsibility. As an emerging leader, Shanita represents the next generation of YolÅ‹u women who are shaping the future of environmental care. Her voice at the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations amplifies the frontline experience of Indigenous rangers and the urgent call to stop plastics at the source. Cip Hamilton, Plastics Campaign Manager, AMCS Cip Hamilton leads the Plastics Campaign team at AMCS, working to reduce the impacts of plastics on our oceans and marine life – through all stages of the plastics lifecycle. Cip has extensive knowledge of single-use plastic bans, plastics policy and regulation and government stakeholders. Cip has completed a Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology Advanced) and Masters of Environment. |
Give Now For our oceans.
To learn more the challenges facing our oceans visit Australian Marine Conservation Society https://www.marineconservation.org.au/post-format/blog/
